Gargling for a sore throat

The therapeutic effect of rinsing

Anyone can gargle, with the exception of children under 3 years of age (not every child is able to cope with the procedure without swallowing the solution or choking). The main advantages of this treatment method are as follows:

• powerful symptomatic effect;
• mitigation of symptoms of intoxication;
• ensuring long-term therapeutic action;
• washing away plaque from tonsils and softening plugs;
• reduction of inflammation;
• destruction of pathogenic fungi.

The symptomatic effect of rinsing is that after the procedure the soreness in the throat, as well as burning and soreness, decreases. Wounds and microcracks on the mucous membrane heal.

A reduction in general intoxication is achieved due to the fact that the concentration of toxins released by pathogenic organisms decreases. The rinsing procedure is a mechanical washout of viruses and bacteria from the tonsil area. In addition, drugs create an unfavorable environment for microorganisms, thereby ensuring a prolonged therapeutic effect. For purulent sore throat, it is rinsing that helps eliminate pus and get rid of the unpleasant taste and odor from the mouth.

Rinsing with a modified Tonsillor nozzle

This method of washing will not be offered to you in any of the clinics in Moscow, except for the ENT Clinic of Doctor Zaitsev! An improved, modified attachment for the Tonsillor apparatus was developed by the founder of the ENT clinic, Vladimir Mikhailovich Zaitsev, together with his colleagues. The operating principle of the new nozzle is absolutely the same as that of the classic nozzle. The difference is in its structure:

• the improved “Tonsillor” nozzle creates greater negative pressure, due to which rinsing the tonsils is much more effective and of better quality;
• the edges of the nozzle in contact with the tonsils do not cause damage or microtrauma;
• The cup of the nozzle into which the washing solution with the purulent contents of the lacunae is sucked in is transparent, and the doctor immediately sees at what point the procedure can be stopped. Thus, the patient does not undergo unnecessary manipulations.
• The size of the nozzle allows washing even for children.

It is necessary to rinse the tonsils only with the participation of an otolaryngologist. We do not recommend self-medication!

In order to forget about the symptoms of chronic tonsillitis for a long time, it is necessary to undergo a full comprehensive course of treatment of chronic inflammation, including, in addition to rinsing, drug therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures. This is the only way to preserve the tonsils and achieve stable remission!

Rinses

What you can gargle with a sore throat, the attending physician must decide. He will select the optimal remedy, taking into account the characteristics of the disease. After this, you can search for medications online on our website and place an order in the same way.

Sometimes it happens that a person is not helped at all by a drug that is effective in most cases. However, the doctor will definitely select another medicine that will definitely have an effect. Over time, it will become clear what is better to gargle for tonsillitis in this particular case.

Why does my throat hurt?

Most cases of sore throat are caused by bacteria. It appears as a result of acute inflammation. The focus is located either in the tonsils, and then they talk about tonsillitis, or in the pharynx (pharyngitis).

With bacterial infections, pain appears suddenly and quickly intensifies, accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature and a significant deterioration in general well-being. You should immediately contact a therapist. The following treatment is usually prescribed:

• a course of antibiotics, and it is important to drink them to the end;
• regular rinsing: timely cleansing of mucus and pus is of fundamental importance for a quick recovery;
• lozenges;
• antiseptic spray;
• plenty of warm drinks.

Another large group of pathogens that cause throat diseases are viruses. The sore throat gradually intensifies, the person feels weak, aches throughout the body, and has a headache. The throat may not hurt very much, but it is constant, and in some cases quite sensitive, and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes is also observed. The temperature rises slightly or remains within normal limits. The disease is accompanied by a profuse runny nose.

In such cases, antiviral drugs are prescribed and the same recommendations are given as for bacterial throat infections: antiseptic sprays, rinses, lozenges.

Another common cause of sore throat is irritation of the mucous membrane, which can occur due to allergies, inhalation of tobacco smoke, or prolonged exposure to dirty or dry air. It is accompanied by severe itching, but the general condition does not worsen, the temperature remains normal. If the pain is the result of an allergy, then itching, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and dry cough may also occur.

Treatment for irritation is as follows:

• elimination of the allergen irritant;
• rinsing with a warm solution of sea salt;
• Irrigation of the throat with soft moisturizing sprays.

Why is a sore throat dangerous?

Never wait for a sore throat to go away on its own. You can drown out unpleasant symptoms with lollipops or folk remedies, but you will not remove the cause of the disease.

Throat infections that are not treated in time become chronic: as soon as local immunity weakens a little, inflammation will certainly arise again. In addition, bacterial and viral infections can cause serious complications.

When should you see a doctor?

Sometimes the pain goes away with self-treatment. But it’s best to immediately start treating your throat by contacting the clinic for help, especially if you are concerned about the following symptoms:

• pain lasts more than 48 hours, and there are no signs of flu or cold;
• the temperature rose sharply;
• accumulations of mucus and pus are observed at the back wall of the throat;
• The lymph nodes in the neck area are greatly enlarged, which causes pain when moving the lower jaw. If mononucleosis develops, then other lymph nodes also enlarge;
• hoarseness, shrunken voice;
• pain occurs when swallowing, localized on one or both sides;
• sensation of lump, soreness, dryness.

Rinse rules

How to gargle correctly for a sore throat? The temperature of the solution should approach 36 degrees. A hotter liquid can damage the mucous membrane and cause a burn. A cold solution may slightly reduce pain by blocking receptors, but local immune defenses are reduced. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply more actively, meaning treatment will take longer.

Rinsing for purulent sore throat can be done using different methods. The usual technique boils down to the following: a person, having filled his mouth with liquid, seems to be trying to clearly pronounce the letter “O”. The first portions of the product can be immediately spat out, but the next portions must be kept in the mouth. This is necessary for a longer effect on the affected tonsils.

Thorough gargling for purulent sore throat is carried out as follows: after taking liquid into your mouth, you need to throw your head back and try to clearly pronounce “GLU”, stretching one sip into several stages. This method ensures thorough rinsing of the back of the pharynx, tonsils and root of the tongue.

One gargle for tonsillitis and sore throat requires about a glass of the chosen medicine. This volume is sufficient for mechanical cleansing of the tonsils.

While rinsing, you should try to pronounce the sounds “YYYYY” - in this case, the medicine will be able to wash away pathogens from all parts of the oral cavity. The head should be tilted back strongly, while the tongue should be pulled forward.

With lacunar or follicular sore throat, you have to gargle the sore throat until recovery, that is, until the palate, tonsils and vocal folds are cleared of plaque and fungal deposits. How long this will take depends on the severity of the disease (the average duration of the period is from 3 to 10 days).

When using this or that product, contraindications must be taken into account. This information is always indicated in the instructions that come with the drug.

Vacuum washing method

The vacuum method of rinsing using the Tonsillor apparatus is the most modern way to rinse the lacunae of the tonsils.

In simple terms, the nozzle of the Tonsillor device works on the principle of a vacuum cleaner. It is attached to the tonsil, the device creates negative pressure. The washing solution, passing through the lacunae of the tonsils, washes out their pathogenic contents, which, together with the waste solution, are sucked into a special cup of the nozzle. That is, the solution is used and passes through the tonsils only once, which confirms the sterility of the manipulation. Before washing, topical anesthesia of the tonsils is performed with lidocaine solution.

Despite the effectiveness of vacuum washing, this method is not without its drawbacks:

• it happens that the edges of the nozzle can injure the surface of the tonsil;
• The walls of the cup, where the washing solution that has passed through the tonsils is evacuated, is opaque, and the doctor cannot see whether the tonsils have been completely washed. As a result, the ENT doctor has to carry out additional procedures to certainly clear the lacunae.

A reasonable question arises: “Is washing the tonsils always associated with some risks?” No! There is another way to wash the tonsils - safe, effective and non-traumatic. This is the use of an improved Tonsillor attachment.

Why can't a sore throat be cured by rinsing alone?

In both angina and chronic tonsillitis, the infection is localized not only on the surface of the tonsils. It can nest in gaps for a long time and, with any weakening of local immunity, provoke an exacerbation.

A rinse solution, even the most effective one, cannot penetrate deep into the tissues, that is, it does not properly inhibit the development of pathogens. To solve the problem, you must consult with an otolaryngologist so as not to cause further complications. The doctor will prescribe the necessary medications, which you can easily order on the Doc.ua website.

Benefits of the procedure

There are two ways to rinse the tonsils: using a syringe or using the vacuum method using the Tonzillor apparatus. The ENT doctor decides how to rinse, based on the patient’s condition and his physiological characteristics.

The washing procedure has a number of undeniable advantages:

• persistent therapeutic effect (if you rinse your throat in courses, you can achieve long-term remission, and the symptoms of tonsillitis will not remind you of themselves for a long time);
• During the procedure, antiseptics and local antibacterial drugs are used, which act exclusively on the inflamed area, unlike conventional antibiotics taken orally;
• no allergic reactions;
• Children and pregnant women can wash their tonsils.

How often do rinses need to be done? For long-lasting results, otorhinolaryngologists recommend performing the procedure several times a year.

Friends! Timely and correct treatment will ensure you a speedy recovery!

Before washing your tonsils, you must stop eating at least an hour before visiting the doctor. After the session you need to abstain from food for a couple of hours.

Complex therapy for chronic tonsillitis usually includes ten rinsing sessions, which are carried out daily or every other day.

Contraindications to washing are: cancer, tuberculosis, acute infectious diseases, mental disorders, hypertension.

Regular rinsing allows you to avoid tonsillectomy (surgery to remove tonsils) and significantly increase the period of remission.

Prohibited methods of treatment for purulent sore throat

Unfortunately, patients often make independent treatment attempts, which only worsen the clinical picture. The following actions are prohibited:

• Pierce the ulcers with sharp objects.
• Push out, tear off or squeeze out ulcers.
• Treat tonsils with hydrogen peroxide, Lugol's solution, iodine.
• Warm your throat and gargle with hot water.
• Rinse with vinegar and concentrated alcohol solution.
• Apply compresses of vodka and alcohol to the throat.

Important to remember! It is very dangerous to try to remove purulent deposits on your own.

At the ENT CLINIC in Chertanovo, otolaryngologists immediately help patients. They carry out non-contact removal of purulent plaque using ultrasound on the CAVITAR device (USOL therapy). Pharyngoscopy and smear analysis are performed to determine sensitivity to antibiotics in order to prescribe an effective medicine. Specialists use modern drugs of the latest generation to improve the patient’s condition. Based on the severity of the disease, individual characteristics, and age of the patient, the clinic’s ENT doctor prescribes medications and gives recommendations for treating purulent tonsillitis at home.